Quick Updates:
Parent-Teacher Conference Day: Parent-Teacher Conferences are right around the corner! Join us on Tuesday, November 3rd, between 11:00 AM and 6:30 PM to connect with your child’s teachers.
You can schedule your conference using this link: Powhatan Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences.
Need help? Check out our step-by-step instructions.
Upcoming Student Holidays: Monday, October 26th is a Student Holiday. We will have an "Even Day" on Tuesday, October 27.
Clinic Assistant Opening: Want to make a positive impact in our schools? Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) is hiring a Clinic Assistant to support our nursing staff and care for students with medical needs. Visit the PCPS website to view the job posting and submit your application. For additional details, please contact Katie Matheny at 804-598-5700 ext. 135.
Powhatan is for Kindness: Join us in celebrating kindness across our schools as Powhatan County comes together to build connections, show gratitude, and spread positivity throughout our community. We encourage all of our students and families to practice simple acts of kindness at home, in class, and in our neighborhood this week. Be sure to share your inspiring stories and photos on social media using #PowhatanIsForKindness as we work together to show that Powhatan is truly for kindness!
Technology Reminders: Recently, our innovative students have found a way to circumvent our chromebook monitoring. Our technology team acted quickly and removed this ability for our students. As a reminder, students and staff should use the Powhatan County Public Schools’ computers and technology resources in a safe, respectful, and responsible manner in accordance with our acceptable use policy. The use of PCPS computers and network is a privilege, not a right, which may be revoked at any time for inappropriate behavior. Students should have no expectations of privacy when using PCPS technology resources, hardware, and connectivity. Student accounts and activity may be audited at any time and is monitored regularly. Infractions related to technology resources will be noted, reported to the building administrator, may result in loss of computer system privileges, and potential disciplinary procedures.
Powhatan Strong Coffee Chat: Join the PCPS Student Services Department for their monthly Powhatan Strong Coffee Chat series Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 4 PM. We will be discussing Understanding Youth Substance Use with Jordan Schellin, Powhatan County Outreach Coordinator and Tiffany Eustice, VDH Youth and Young Adult Tobacco Coordinator. To join, click the link at https://bit.ly/PowhatanStrong26-27
Fall Picture Day
Our Fall Picture Day will be held on Tuesday, October 27th and Wednesday, October 28th. All students will take a fall picture. Students will take their picture through their Health & PE class. More information is below
Picture Day Schedule:
1st Period Health & PE Classes:
Mrs. Henderson's and Mr. Miles' 1st period classes will take pictures on Tuesday, October 27th.
Mr. Fields', Mrs. Lazaro's and Mrs. Woodson's 1st period classes will take pictures on Wednesday, October 28th.
2nd, 4th, and 6th Period Health & PE classes will take pictures on Tuesday, October 27th.
3rd, 5th, & 7th Period Health & PE classes will take pictures on Wednesday, October 28th.
Picture Day Resources:
Strawbridge How-To Order Pictures Guide
Our unique Strawbridge Studios online order code is PX517694
Make Up Picture Day:
Our Fall Picture Make Up Day will be held Thursday, December 3rd for all students.
10th Annual Thank a Teacher Art Contest
Math class, art class, the library, or at home - no matter where inspiration strikes, every Virginia K-12 public school student is invited to participate in the 10th Annual Thank a Teacher Art Contest, presented by the Virginia Lottery and The Supply Room.
From October 19 through November 23, 2026, students can create an original piece of artwork inspired by the teachers who make a difference in their lives. Teachers across all subjects and grade levels can make the contest an in-class activity, incorporate it into an existing lesson or send it home as an optional project.
Three students will win, one each from the elementary, middle and high school levels. Each winner receives a $200 gift card, while their school receives a $2,000 credit to The Supply Room.
Contest details are here: https://thankateacherva.com/
October is Bullying Prevention Month
Navigating Cyberbullying & Digital Safety
As technology grows, cyberbullying can follow students home through social media, text messages, and gaming platforms. Signs of cyberbullying include a child becoming distressed after using a device, hiding screens, or suddenly abandoning their online accounts.
Notice & Talk: Regularly discuss online habits and monitor digital interactions.
Document Everything: Save screenshots, text messages, and timestamps if cyberbullying occurs.
Action Step: Remind your child never to retaliate online, and report digital harassment directly to the platform, school, or local authorities.
Any suspected bullying should be reported directly to your student's administrator or counselor.
Birthday Marquee
Celebrate your student’s birthday in style!
Our marquee is back up and running! You can create an amazing and memorable experience for your student. Watch them light up as they see their name in lights on our electronic marquee wishing them a Happy Birthday!
The message will read: Happy (age) Birthday, (student’s first name)!! Complete this form and submit payment through School Cash Online.
To secure your student's birthday message, please complete the form and submit payment using the links above.
Requests will not be processed until both the payment and the form information have been received.
Birthday Messages will go live 1 day prior to your student’s birthday and run until the following week (24/7).
Note: Please submit Requests & Payments by the dates listed below
November Birthdays as soon as possible!
December Birthdays due by November 6
January Birthdays due by December 4
WINTER SPORTS INFO
Winter sports tryouts are right around the corner! Here are the dates and times for tryouts for cheering and basketball;
CHEERING
DATE - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27TH
TIME - After school - 4:30 (at the middle school). Your ride should pick you up in the back of the school each day at 4:30 p.m.
*Tryouts will last 3 days
GIRLS BASKETBALL
DATE - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH
TIME - After school - 4:30 (The Girls' tryout will be at the Powhatan Landmark Center Gymnasium: 4290 Anderson Highway. Transportation will be provided, and all girls will need to be picked up at the PLC building at 4:30 p.m. both days.
*Tryouts will last 2 days.
BOYS BASKETBALL
DATE - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH
TIME - After school - 4:45 (at the middle school). Your ride should pick you up in the back of the school each day at 4:45 p.m.
*Tryouts will last 2-3 days
** Tryout forms for all winter sports will be in the office starting on MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH.
** You MUST have a completed VHSL Physical (this is NOT the tryout form) dated May 1, 2026 or later either on file, or before tryouts in order to try out. Physical forms are available on the PCPS Middle School website or in the office.
** Please turn in all tryout forms AND physicals to the OFFICE (please don't give to teachers) ASAP. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF TRYOUTS.
If you have any further questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Bill Wasosky at bill.wasosky@powhatan.k12.va.us
These teachers will be in HEALTH this week: Woodson, Bates, Fields, and Lazaro (Periods 1, 2 & 3)
These teachers will be in PE this week: Allanson, Henderson, Miles, and Lazaro (Periods 6 & 7)
Monday, October 26: Student Holiday, Professional Development Day
Tuesday, October 27 & Wednesday, October 28: Fall Picture Days
Monday, November 2: Student & Staff Holiday (Excludes 12 month employees)
Tuesday, November 3: Student Holiday; Parent Teacher Conferences (11:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, November 25 - Friday, November 27: Thanksgiving Break
Friday, December 18: End of Quarter 2
Monday, December 21 - Friday, January 1: Winter Break
Monday, January 4: Student Holiday, Teacher Workday
Quick Updates:
School Report Card: Recently, the VDOE came out with our School Quality Profile, which is basically our school's report card, for the 2025-2026 school year. I am very proud to announce that Powhatan Middle School earned a Distinguished rating - the highest rating! Our students and staff worked tremendously hard all year and we made progress in the right direction! You can learn more about our ranking on the VDOE's website. We also were the 6th highest ranked middle school in our region, out of 46 total middle schools that include localities like Goochland, Chesterfield, Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, and Sussex.
Parent-Teacher Conference Day: Parent-Teacher Conferences are right around the corner! Join us on Tuesday, November 3rd, between 11:00 AM and 6:30 PM to connect with your child’s teachers.
You can schedule your conference using this link: Powhatan Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences.
Need help? Check out our step-by-step instructions.
End of First Marking Period: Believe it or not, Friday, October 22 is the end of the first marking period. We will be having all students check PowerSchool on Monday; however, please have a conversation with your student this week, as well. Reports cards will be sent home with students on Friday, October 30th.
Upcoming Student Holidays: Friday, October 23rd and Monday, October 26th are Student Holidays.
Academic Check-Ins
Part of middle school is teaching self-efficacy and showing students how to take responsibility for their learning. If we can reach this goal school-wide, students will thrive in high school!
This school year, our students will be working on an “Academic Check-In” during ACCT every other week. Students will be tasked with opening their Power School to check grades and any missing assignments, and then setting up a plan for the week and beyond. All this will happen with the guidance of their ACCT teacher, but we are attempting to build more student ownership in their learning.
Students will then answer three questions:
What teachers do I need to meet with this week and for what?
One goal I have for the next week is…
I will know I am successful if…
Academic check-ins will be done in (PINK) paper form and sent home with the student. Hopefully this can serve as a guide in conversation for you, as well.
Our first Academic Check-In is Monday, October 19 - be sure to ask your student for their check-in paper when they get home.
Fall Picture Day
Our Fall Picture Day will be held on Tuesday, October 27th and Wednesday, October 28th. All students will take a fall picture. Students will take their picture through their Health & PE class. More information is below
Picture Day Schedule:
1st Period Health & PE Classes:
Mrs. Henderson's and Mr. Miles' 1st period classes will take pictures on Tuesday, October 27th.
Mr. Fields', Mrs. Lazaro's and Mrs. Woodson's 1st period classes will take pictures on Wednesday, October 28th.
2nd, 4th, and 6th Period Health & PE classes will take pictures on Tuesday, October 27th.
3rd, 5th, & 7th Period Health & PE classes will take pictures on Wednesday, October 28th.
Picture Day Resources:
Strawbridge How-To Order Pictures Guide
Our unique Strawbridge Studios online order code is PX517694
Make Up Picture Day:
Our Fall Picture Make Up Day will be held Thursday, December 3rd for all students.
October is Bullying Prevention Month
Navigating Cyberbullying & Digital Safety
As technology grows, cyberbullying can follow students home through social media, text messages, and gaming platforms. Signs of cyberbullying include a child becoming distressed after using a device, hiding screens, or suddenly abandoning their online accounts.
Notice & Talk: Regularly discuss online habits and monitor digital interactions.
Document Everything: Save screenshots, text messages, and timestamps if cyberbullying occurs.
Action Step: Remind your child never to retaliate online, and report digital harassment directly to the platform, school, or local authorities.
Any suspected bullying should be reported directly to your student's administrator or counselor.
WINTER SPORTS INFO
Winter sports tryouts are right around the corner! Here are the dates and times for tryouts for cheering and basketball;
CHEERING
DATE - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27TH
TIME - After school - 4:30 (at the middle school). Your ride should pick you up in the back of the school each day at 4:30 p.m.
*Tryouts will last 3 days
GIRLS BASKETBALL
DATE - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH
TIME - After school - 4:30 (The Girls' tryout will be at the Powhatan Landmark Center Gymnasium: 4290 Anderson Highway. Transportation will be provided, and all girls will need to be picked up at the PLC building at 4:30 p.m. both days.
*Tryouts will last 2 days.
BOYS BASKETBALL
DATE - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH
TIME - After school - 4:45 (at the middle school). Your ride should pick you up in the back of the school each day at 4:45 p.m.
*Tryouts will last 2-3 days
** Tryout forms for all winter sports will be in the office starting on MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH.
** You MUST have a completed VHSL Physical (this is NOT the tryout form) dated May 1, 2026 or later either on file, or before tryouts in order to try out. Physical forms are available on the PCPS Middle School website or in the office.
** Please turn in all tryout forms AND physicals to the OFFICE (please don't give to teachers) ASAP. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF TRYOUTS.
If you have any further questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Bill Wasosky at bill.wasosky@powhatan.k12.va.us
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OPEN GYM FOR GIRLS BASKETBALL
Any girls who are interested in trying out for girls basketball, there will be 3 open gyms in October. You are encouraged to attend.
-You must have a physical dated MAY 1ST 2026 OR LATER on file to participate.
-The dates are Tuesday, October 6th, Monday, October 12th and Tuesday, October 20th from 2:30-4:00. Please have your ride pick you up in the back of the school at 4:00.
- Pick up a tryout form from the front office.
Important Athletics Reminder for Rising 8th Graders:
Students enrolled in Powhatan Middle School, including eighth-grade students, shall not participate on high school junior varsity (JV) athletic teams in any sport that is offered at Powhatan Middle School during the same season.
Sport Not Offered at the Middle School
Students may try out for a high school JV team if the sport is not offered at Powhatan Middle School during the same season.
Inability to Field a Middle School Team
If Powhatan Middle School is unable to field a team due to insufficient participation or other verified circumstances, participation at the high school level may be considered.
Please reach out to our Athletic Director, Bill Wasosky, if you have any questions. Click here for more information.
Quick Updates:
Parent-Teacher Conference Day: Parent-Teacher Conference day is fast approaching! We will be hosting Parent-Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, November 3rd from 11:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Save the date for now and a sign-up sheet will be sent out at a later date.
Fall Dance: Save the Date for our Fall Dances! We are well under way planning and our Student Leadership is graciously spearheading the dance! We will host two Fall Dances again, both on Friday, October 16th. Save the date for now and tickets will be on sale the week of October 5th on School Cash Online. We can only sell 300 tickets per dance, so get them while they last!
The 6th grade Fall Dance will be from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
7th & 8th grade Fall Dance will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Volunteer Options: We are in need of several volunteers, including set up, concessions, dance supervision, carnival games, and clean up. We are also going to do a "cake walk" in the courtyard and are in need of donations. Visit our Powhatan Middle Fall Dance Volunteer Sign Up Genius if you are able to help! Any help is good help!
Dear 6th Grade Families,
This is a friendly reminder regarding our upcoming field trip to the Virginia Children’s Book Festival at Longwood University on Friday, October 16, 2026.
To ensure your student can attend, please make sure their completed yellow permission form and $5.00 is turned in by Wednesday, October 14th. Please note that this is a hard deadline so we can finalize our student count and logistics. (Digital link to Field Trip Permission Form)
Here is a quick recap of the trip details:
Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
Destination: Longwood University (Farmville, VA)
Schedule: Departs Powhatan Middle School at 8:40 a.m. | Returns at approximately 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $5.00 per person for students and chaperones (please pay via SchoolCash Online). Students may also bring extra money if they wish to purchase books at the festival bookshop.
What to Bring: A bagged lunch (cafeteria lunches can be pre-ordered via the permission form), bottled water, and comfortable walking shoes.
Please check with your student today to ensure you have the yellow form, sign it, and have them return it to their First Block teacher as soon as possible.
SOL TESTING WINDOW CHANGE
We want to share an important change to Virginia’s SOL testing requirements for students in grades 7–12 for the 2026–2027 school year.
A new state law, House Bill 299, changes when SOL tests can be administered. Beginning this school year, SOL tests for students in grades 7–12 cannot be given more than 10 full days before the end of the course. For PCPS the window will be May 19th - June 3rd. Our SOL testing schedule is below:
Thursday, March 18: IRW Writing SOL (8th grade only)
Wednesday, May 19: Reading SOL (all grades)
Friday, May 21: Math SOL (all grades)
Tuesday, May 25: Science SOL (Integrated 2 7th graders and all 8th graders)
**Wednesday, May 26: Social Studies SOL (Integrated 2 7th graders and all 8th graders)
October is Bullying Prevention Month.
During this month, we will provide some tips and information about how to recognize and prevent bullying and strategies to empower students to be upstanders in our community. We encourage our students that if they see something, they need to say something.
Spotting the Signs & Four Types of Bullying
Bullying manifests in four primary ways: physical, verbal, social/relational (such as spreading rumors or exclusion), and cyberbullying. While physical behavior leaves visible signs, verbal and relational harm can be just as damaging to a child's well-being. Children don't always ask for help directly, making it important to watch for subtle behavioral changes.
Emotional Signs: Unexplained anxiety, loss of confidence, mood swings, or withdrawal.
Physical & Academic Signs: Frequent stomachaches or headaches, sudden drop in grades, or reluctance to go to school.
Action Step: Reach out to your child's teacher or school counselor early if you notice sudden changes in their social habits or mood.
Any suspected bullying should be reported directly to your student's administrator or counselor.
Fall Picture Day
Our Fall Picture Day will be held on Tuesday, October 27th and Wednesday, October 28th. All students will take a fall picture. Students will take their picture through their Health & PE class. More information is below
Picture Day Schedule:
1st Period Health & PE Classes:
Mrs. Henderson's and Mr. Miles' 1st period classes will take pictures on Tuesday, October 27th.
Mr. Fields', Mrs. Lazaro's and Mrs. Woodson's 1st period classes will take pictures on Wednesday, October 28th.
2nd, 4th, and 6th Period Health & PE classes will take pictures on Tuesday, October 27th.
3rd, 5th, & 7th Period Health & PE classes will take pictures on Wednesday, October 28th.
Picture Day Resources:
Strawbridge How-To Order Pictures Guide
Our unique Strawbridge Studios online order code is PX517694
Make Up Picture Day:
Our Fall Picture Make Up Day will be held Thursday, December 3rd for all students.
WINTER SPORTS INFO
Winter sports tryouts are right around the corner! Here are the dates and times for tryouts for cheering and basketball;
CHEERING
DATE - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27TH
TIME - After school - 4:30 (at the middle school). Your ride should pick you up in the back of the school each day at 4:30 p.m.
*Tryouts will last 3 days
GIRLS BASKETBALL
DATE - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH
TIME - After school - 4:30 (The Girls' tryout will be at the Powhatan Landmark Center Gymnasium: 4290 Anderson Highway. Transportation will be provided, and all girls will need to be picked up at the PLC building at 4:30 p.m. both days.
*Tryouts will last 2 days.
BOYS BASKETBALL
DATE - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH
TIME - After school - 4:45 (at the middle school). Your ride should pick you up in the back of the school each day at 4:45 p.m.
*Tryouts will last 2-3 days
** Tryout forms for all winter sports will be in the office starting on MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH.
** You MUST have a completed VHSL Physical (this is NOT the tryout form) dated May 1, 2026 or later either on file, or before tryouts in order to try out. Physical forms are available on the PCPS Middle School website or in the office.
** Please turn in all tryout forms AND physicals to the OFFICE (please don't give to teachers) ASAP. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF TRYOUTS.
If you have any further questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Bill Wasosky at bill.wasosky@powhatan.k12.va.us
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OPEN GYM FOR GIRLS BASKETBALL
Any girls who are interested in trying out for girls basketball, there will be 3 open gyms in October. You are encouraged to attend.
-You must have a physical dated MAY 1ST 2026 OR LATER on file to participate.
-The dates are Tuesday, October 6th, Monday, October 12th and Tuesday, October 20th from 2:30-4:00. Please have your ride pick you up in the back of the school at 4:00.
- Pick up a tryout form from the front office.
Quick Updates:
6th Grade Field Trip: Attention 6th grade parents, please be sure to turn in the permission slip for our field trip to the Virginia Children's Book Festival at Longwood University. Field trip permission slips are due by October 6th to your child's first block teacher.
Join the PCPS Student Services Department for their monthly Powhatan Strong Coffee Chat series THIS Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 12 PM. They will discuss Opportunities to Volunteer in Powhatan County Public Schools. To join, click the link at https://bit.ly/PowhatanStrong26-27
Can you give 1 Hour for Schools? 1 Hour for Schools is a nationwide volunteer movement created by PTO Today to help strengthen school communities, starting with one simple ask: volunteer for just one hour.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to pledge one hour (or more) of volunteer time during the school year, whether that means helping at an event, prepping materials at home, joining a committee, supporting teachers, or pitching in however they can.
Every adult who takes the pledge helps us in our mission to build stronger, more involved school communities across the U.S. Plus, every pledge counts as an entry for their school to win $3,500!
Fall Dance: Save the Date for our Fall Dances! We are well under way planning and our Student Leadership is graciously spearheading the dance! We will host two Fall Dances again, both on Friday, October 16th. Save the date for now and tickets will be on sale the week of October 5th on School Cash Online. We can only sell 300 tickets per dance, so get them while they last!
The 6th grade Fall Dance will be from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
7th & 8th grade Fall Dance will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Volunteer Options: We are in need of several volunteers, including set up, concessions, dance supervision, carnival games, and clean up. We are also going to do a "cake walk" in the courtyard and are in need of donations. Visit our Powhatan Middle Fall Dance Volunteer Sign Up Genius if you are able to help! Any help is good help!
SOL TESTING WINDOW CHANGE
We want to share an important change to Virginia’s SOL testing requirements for students in grades 7–12 for the 2026–2027 school year.
A new state law, House Bill 299, changes when SOL tests can be administered. Beginning this school year, SOL tests for students in grades 7–12 cannot be given more than 10 full days before the end of the course. For PCPS the window will be May 19th - June 3rd. Our SOL testing schedule is below:
Thursday, March 18: IRW Writing SOL (8th grade only)
Wednesday, May 19: Reading SOL (all grades)
Friday, May 21: Math SOL (all grades)
Tuesday, May 25: Science SOL (Integrated 2 7th graders and all 8th graders)
**Wednesdays, May 26: Social Studies SOL (Integrated 2 7th graders and all 8th graders)
October is Bullying Prevention Month.
During this month, we will provide some tips and information about how to recognize and prevent bullying and strategies to empower students to be upstanders in our community. We encourage our students that if they see something, they need to say something.
Understanding What Bullying Is (The 3 core components)
Bullying is distinct from general peer disagreements or rude behavior. For an action to be defined as bullying, look for three specific criteria:
Intentional Harm: The behavior is aggressive and intended to hurt, intimidate, or humiliate.
Repeated Over Time: It happens repeatedly, or there is a strong likelihood it will happen again.
Imbalance of Power: The aggressor uses a real or perceived advantage (such as size, age, etc.) to control or hurt the target.
Action Step: If your child comes to you upset, use these 3 components to help determine whether they are experiencing normal peer conflict or bullying behavior
Any suspected bullying should be reported directly to your student's administrator or counselor.
Application Window OPEN: ACA, ARGS, & MLWGS
The application window for three specialty high school programs is now OPEN for the following programs:
ACA (Advanced College Academy)
ARGS (Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Arts and Technology)
MLWGS (Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies)
Important Dates to Remember:
October 1, 2026 - Applications open
October 20, 2026 - ARGS Open House 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
October 17, 2026 - MLWGS Information Forum 10:00 AM
December 4, 2026 - Application Deadline
All applications are online. You can find the direct links and all necessary information on the Schoology page shared with students or reach out to our Gifted Coordinator, Elizabeth Greenwood. You can contact Mrs. Greenwood at elizabeth.greenwood@powhatan.k12.va.us.
WINTER SPORTS INFO
Winter sports tryouts are right around the corner! Here are the dates and times for tryouts for cheering and basketball;
CHEERING
DATE - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27TH
TIME - After school - 4:30 (at the middle school). Your ride should pick you up in the back of the school each day at 4:30 p.m.
*Tryouts will last 3 days
GIRLS BASKETBALL
DATE - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH
TIME - After school - 4:30 (The Girls' tryout will be at the Powhatan Landmark Center Gymnasium: 4290 Anderson Highway. Transportation will be provided, and all girls will need to be picked up at the PLC building at 4:30 p.m. both days.
*Tryouts will last 2 days.
BOYS BASKETBALL
DATE - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH
TIME - After school - 4:45 (at the middle school). Your ride should pick you up in the back of the school each day at 4:45 p.m.
*Tryouts will last 2-3 days
** Tryout forms for all winter sports will be in the office starting on MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH.
** You MUST have a completed VHSL Physical (this is NOT the tryout form) dated May 1, 2026 or later either on file, or before tryouts in order to try out. Physical forms are available on the PCPS Middle School website or in the office.
** Please turn in all tryout forms AND physicals to the OFFICE (please don't give to teachers) ASAP. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF TRYOUTS.
If you have any further questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Bill Wasosky at bill.wasosky@powhatan.k12.va.us
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OPEN GYM FOR GIRLS BASKETBALL
Any girls who are interested in trying out for girls basketball, there will be 3 open gyms in October. You are encouraged to attend.
-You must have a physical dated MAY 1ST 2026 OR LATER on file to participate.
-The dates are Tuesday, October 6th, Monday, October 12th and Tuesday, October 20th from 2:30-4:00. Please have your ride pick you up in the back of the school at 4:00.
- Pick up a tryout form from the front office.
Quick Updates:
Vision Screenings: Student Health Services will conduct vision and hearing screenings for 7th grade students and/or any transferred students during their Health/PE class on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept 29th and 30th. Please ensure your student wears or brings their glasses/contacts on their Health/PE day. You will be informed if further evaluation is necessary. If you do not wish for your child to participate, please fill out this opt out form. Thank you!
High School Activity Bus: Students attending sports conditioning at the high school may not ride the sports shuttle bus; this bus is reserved for students who are in their current athletic season. Families must provide transportation.
Fall Dance: Save the Date for our Fall Dances! We are well under way planning and our Student Leadership is graciously spearheading the dance! We will host two Fall Dances again, both on Friday, October 16th. Save the date for now and tickets will be on sale the week of October 5th.
The 6th grade Fall Dance will be from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
7th & 8th grade Fall Dance will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Volunteer Options: We are in need of several volunteers, including set up, concessions, dance supervision, carnival games, and clean up. We are also going to do a "cake walk" in the courtyard and are in need of donations. Visit our Powhatan Middle Fall Dance Volunteer Sign Up Genius if you are able to help! Any help is good help!
Specialty High School Program Information
Thank you to those who were able to attend our Specialty High School Program Night. Each of the schools will have an upcoming information session or open house, and additional information is available on their websites. Our PCPS Gifted Coordinator, Elizabeth Greenwood is happy to meet with you individually and answer any questions you may have as you explore these options.
Upcoming Information Sessions & Open Houses
Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School: October 17 at 10:00 AM at MLWGS
Appomattox Regional Governor’s School: October 20 from 6:00–8:00 PM at ARGS
CodeRVA: October 13 and December 8 from 6:00–8:00 PM, both in person at CodeRVA and virtually
Advance College Academy (ACA): ACA representatives will be visiting Algebra I classes in the coming weeks.
Additional Admissions & Application Information
ARGS: https://argsus-22-us-east1-01.preview.finalsitecdn.com/admission-information
ACA: https://www.reynolds.edu/get_started/advance_college_academy/default.html
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to meet to talk through any of these opportunities. You can contact Mrs. Greenwood at elizabeth.greenwood@powhatan.k12.va.us.
Birthday Marquee
Celebrate your student’s birthday in style!
Our marquee is back up and running! You can create an amazing and memorable experience for your student. Watch them light up as they see their name in lights on our electronic marquee wishing them a Happy Birthday!
The message will read: Happy (age) Birthday, (student’s first name)!! Complete this form and submit payment through School Cash Online.
To secure your student's birthday message, please complete the form and submit payment using the links above.
Requests will not be processed until both the payment and the form information have been received.
Birthday Messages will go live 1 day prior to your student’s birthday and run until the following week (24/7).
Note: Please submit Requests & Payments by the dates listed below
All October Birthdays due October 2
November Birthdays due by October 9
December Birthdays due by November 6
January Birthdays due by December 4
February Birthdays due by January 8
March Birthdays due by February 5
April Birthdays due by March 5
May Birthdays due April 9
June, July & August Birthdays due May 7
Backpacks of Love, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization that has been providing weekend food bags to school children who may not have enough to eat at home since 2011. These food bags are distributed discreetly by school staff on the last school day of each week.
If your child could benefit from this program, we invite you to participate by signing and returning the permission form to your child’s school counselor. Participation is completely voluntary and free of charge.
Reach out to our School Counseling Coordinator, Terry Baldwin (terry.baldwin@powhatan.k12.va.us) with any questions.
Backpacks of Love Permission Form (English Version) Backpacks of Love Permission Form (Spanish Version)
Quick Updates:
Thank you to everyone who made our first Family Literacy Night possible! We had a great turnout and engaged families with literacy activities, sold books at the book fair, passed out information for Powhatan is for Kindness, and held two parent informational sessions. The feedback was great and we are already looking forward on how to build that momentum.
Grade Updates: Can you believe we are already halfway through the first nine weeks?! This year, instead of sending home interim progress reports or letters, your child’s teacher will contact you if your child is currently earning a D or F in their class. As always, please continue to check PowerSchool weekly to stay up to date on your child's grades and progress! Students will be also creating their own Academic Check In sheets and setting personal goals. More information on that below.
Vision Screenings: Student Health Services will conduct vision and hearing screenings for 7th grade students and/or any transferred students during their Health/PE class on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept 29th and 30th. Please ensure your student wears or brings their glasses/contacts on their Health/PE day. You will be informed if further evaluation is necessary. If you do not wish for your child to participate, please fill out this opt out form. Thank you!
Fall Dance: Save the Date for our Fall Dances! We are well under way planning and our Student Leadership is graciously spearheading the dance! We will host two Fall Dances again, both on Friday, October 16th. The 6th grade Fall Dance will be from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., and our 7th & 8th grade Fall Dance will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Save the date for now and tickets will be on sale closer to the dance.
Student Pick Up Reminders: When visiting or picking up your child during the school day, please bring a photo ID, ring the doorbell to the right, identify yourself, and state the reason for visiting the building. In preparation for dismissal, all early dismissal must be before 2:00 p.m. unless extenuating circumstances. Please allow additional time for your child to be called down for dismissal, as we are unable to call students down in advance until a photo ID has been checked and verified. Student safety is our top priority and these protocols help keep our students safe - thank you for your support!
We will be having a pep rally on Friday, September 25 at the end of the day, and we ask that all early dismissals occur by 1:25, if possible.
Specialty High School Program Night
Powhatan Middle School will host an evening of “Specialty High School Programs” with representatives from the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology, Code RVA High School and Reynolds Community College for Advanced College Academy Program on September 22 beginning at 5 PM in the Powhatan Middle School Library.
Although this presentation is designed to recruit 8th grade applicants, any 6th, 7th or 8th grade students and their parents interested in learning more about these four programs and their application process are encouraged to attend.
Academic Check-Ins
Part of middle school is teaching self-efficacy and showing students how to take responsibility for their learning. If we can reach this goal school-wide, students will thrive in high school!
This school year, our students will be working on an “Academic Check-In” during ACCT every other week. Students will be tasked with opening their Power School to check grades and any missing assignments, and then setting up a plan for the week and beyond. All this will happen with the guidance of their ACCT teacher, but we are attempting to build more student ownership in their learning.
Students will then answer three questions:
What teachers do I need to meet with this week and for what?
One goal I have for the next week is…
I will know I am successful if…
Academic check-ins will be done in (PINK) paper form and sent home with the student. Hopefully this can serve as a guide in conversation for you, as well.
Our first Academic Check-In is Monday, September 21 - be sure to ask your student for their check-in paper when they get home.
We’re excited to announce Powhatan Middle School is taking Homecoming to the BIG CITY! Get ready for a week full of school spirit, friendly competition, and plenty of New York energy as we celebrate Homecoming Week: September 21–25!
The Lunch/Snack Buddy program has been in our schools for over 10 years. The Lunch/Snack Buddies program is one that promotes building relationships with a student who is exhibiting a need for a positive adult role model. We provide this program in the 3 elementary schools as well as at PMS. The program begins the beginning of October and will last until end of April.
A YES commitment would look like:
A lunch buddy would mentor an elementary student during their lunch time once a week
A snack buddy would mentor a middle school student during ACCT time once a week.
A brief overview training about what to expect, confidentiality protocols as well as answering your questions prior to you being partnered with a student
You will be asked your preference of school and age of child. We will do the best to match you with a perfect student in need. If you want to mentor more than one student, we can make that happen as well.
A background check and fingerprinting session with HR would be necessary
The activities between the student and mentor will be monitored by the school counselors but it can be anything from academic support to conversation, playing games, making crafts, and things of that nature during the set weekly lunch/snack time.
If you are interested in participating as a mentor for the Lunch/Snack Buddies Program, we would be happy to have you! Send an email to lunchbuddies@powhatan.k12.va.us Please respond soon to let me know and I will be in touch about the next steps. The program starts the first week of October!
Student Services: Diabetes Information Guide
Understanding the symptoms and daily care needs of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes helps keep our school community safe and supported. Please review this Diabetes Information Guide to learn about key warning signs, care management, and resources for coordinating support with our school nurses.
Quick Updates:
Book Fair: The second annual Powhatan Middle School Book Fair will be from September 14-18. We are in need to parent volunteers to help the event run smoothly, help students search for books, and assist during the event.
Interested in volunteering? Be sure to sign up on our Powhatan Middle School Book Fair Sign Up Genius.
Ready to shop any buy books?! Here is Powhatan Middle School's homepage for the book fair. It provides all the important details about the fair, including information about ewallet, share the fair, and online shopping.
There are several ways to pay:
Cash
All major credit cards / debit cards
Scholastic e-Wallet (directions on Scholastic Book Fair home page)
Most tap to pay cards
Vision Screenings: Student Health Services will conduct vision and hearing screenings for 7th grade students and/or any transferred students during their Health/PE class on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept 29th and 30th. Please ensure your student wears or brings their glasses/contacts on their Health/PE day. You will be informed if further evaluation is necessary. Thank you!
Front Office Roles: Just a reminder that our new Attendance Secretary is Sara Stratton and our new bookkeeper is Denise Overton.
Literacy Night: Instead of Back to School Night, we will be holding a Literacy Night on Tuesday, September 15. There will be activities for families to complete, informational parent sessions, and the Book Fair will be available to buy books. (Please note that not all teachers will be here, just those putting on the event.) Food trucks and prizes will be available as well! See the below flyer for more information.
We’re excited to announce Powhatan Middle School is taking Homecoming to the BIG CITY! Get ready for a week full of school spirit, friendly competition, and plenty of New York energy as we celebrate Homecoming Week: September 21–25!
Specialty High School Program Night
Powhatan Middle School will host an evening of “Specialty High School Programs” with representatives from the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology, Code RVA High School and Reynolds Community College for Advanced College Academy Program on September 22 beginning at 5 PM in the Powhatan Middle School Library.
Although this presentation is designed to recruit 8th grade applicants, any 6th, 7th or 8th grade students and their parents interested in learning more about these four programs and their application process are encouraged to attend.
Parent Technology Information:
Want more information about all the technology PCPS has to offer?
Not sure where to start with with which platform?
Go to the Parent Technology page on our PCPS website or see the included flyer.
Please do not hesitate if you have any questions or need more support.
Upcoming Lockdown Drill
In accordance with Virginia Code §22.1-137.2, Powhatan Middle School will be conducting a lockdown drill this week, as part of the mandatory safety drills for the 2026-27 school year. Our teachers will be talking with the students regarding the purpose and procedures of this drill. During the drill, you will receive practice lockdown e-mail and text messages via SchoolMessenger (see below). This is how both messages would appear if this were an actual lockdown event. The purpose of this messaging is for parents and guardians to be familiar with community expectations during an actual event. Another communication will be sent via SchoolMessenger to announce the conclusion of the drill.
Lockdown e-mail message as it will appear: Powhatan Middle has been placed on lockdown because of a situation at or around our school site. All students and staff are secure. School staff is working with the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office to resolve the situation. At this time, do not come to the school. We will not be allowing any students, staff members, or visitors to enter or exit the building. Parents and guardians are asked not to call the school during this time as staff are following safety procedures and are unable to answer phones. We will keep you informed and notify you when the lockdown has been lifted and if any action is needed on your part.
Lockdown text message as it will appear: Powhatan Middle is on lockdown. All students and staff are secure. We are working with the Sheriff's Office. Do not come to the school or call. Updates will be sent asap.
Quick Updates:
Book Fair: The second annual Powhatan Middle School Book Fair will be from September 14-18. We are in need to parent volunteers to help the event run smoothly, help students search for books, and assist during the event.
Interested in volunteering? Be sure to sign up on our Powhatan Middle School Book Fair Sign Up Genius.
Ready to shop any buy books?! Here is Powhatan Middle School's homepage for the book fair. It provides all the important details about the fair, including information about ewallet, share the fair, and online shopping.
Dress Code: We encourage all our students to dress for success and to dress for the school environment. Please ensure your student is following all PCPS Dress Code expectations at all times.
Front Office Roles: Just a reminder that our new Attendance Secretary is Sara Stratton and our new bookkeeper is Denise Overton.
Spirit Days:
Wednesday, September 9: NFL Kickoff Spirit Day (see below)
Friday, September 11: Patriot Day Remembrance (see below)
Weekly Schedule Reminders
This week we will run our normal schedule:
Monday, September 7 - No School
Tuesday, September 8 - Even Day
Even Day means we go to 1st, 2nd, 4th, & 6th blocks
Wednesday, September 9 - Odd Day
Odd Day means we go to 1st, 3rd, 5th & 7th blocks
Thursday, September 10 - All Class Day
Friday, September 11 - All Class Day
Transportation Information
Need more bus route information?
Transportation schedules are now available through the My Ride K-12 app. Families are encouraged to review their child's bus information before the first day of school, including bus assignment, bus stop location, and scheduled pickup and drop-off times.
For more information, see the PCPS Transportation webpage.
More questions? Reach out to our PCPS Transportation Office (transoffice@powhatan.k12.va.us)
Parent Drop Off or Pick Up?
Our procedures remain the same → view this map to see where to enter and exit.
All cars for drop off & pick up must enter at Powhatan Elementary and take the connector road to Powhatan Middle.
To maintain order and good traffic flow, please enter Powhatan Elementary from the west. Working together, we will get everyone in on time.
Drop off starts at 7:20 a.m. and pick up starts at 2:25 p.m.
Visitors can use our main entrance between 7:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Specialty High School Program Night
Powhatan Middle School will host an evening of “Specialty High School Programs” with representatives from the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology, Code RVA High School and Reynolds Community College for Advanced College Academy Program on September 22 beginning at 5 PM in the Powhatan Middle School Library.
Although this presentation is designed to recruit 8th grade applicants, any 6th, 7th or 8th grade students and their parents interested in learning more about these four programs and their application process are encouraged to attend.
Powhatan Strong Coffee Chat
Join the PCPS Student Services Department for their monthly Powhatan Strong Coffee Chat series on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 9 AM. They will discuss PCPS attendance guidelines and how your family and our school support your student toward great attendance. To join, click the link at https://bit.ly/PowhatanStrong26-27
Quick Updates:
Chromebooks: All 6th grade students and any new 7th/8th Grade students received their chromebook this week. If your student did not, please have them stop by the Help Desk on Monday morning.
All students need to pay the chromebook fee and have a signed user agreement on file or their chromebook and account will be deactivated after Thursday, September 3. Log into School Cash Online to sign the agreement and pay the fee.
Student Schedules: The add/drop deadline was this Friday, August 28 for students to request a course change. Any questions about courses can be sent to your student's counselor.
Yearbooks: If you did not get your 25-26 yearbook at Open House, our new Yearbook Sponsor, Mrs. Papierniak and her Yearbook crew delivered Yearbooks this week during ACCT. Please reach out to her via email if you have any questions (michelle.papierniak@powhatan.k12.va.us)
Book Fair: The second annual Powhatan Middle School Book Fair will be from September 14-18. We are in need to parent volunteers to help the event run smoothly, help students search for books, and assist during the event. Be sure to sign up on our Powhatan Middle School Book Fair Sign Up Genius.
Fees
All fees are paid online through School Cash Online. All fees will be loaded in School Cash Online specifically based on your student’s class schedule by the Open House date. You can access School Cash Online through our website as well as. If you have any questions or need help, please reach out to our bookkeeper, Mrs. Overton at denise.overton@powhatan.k12.va.us.
Chromebooks
At middle school, there are two required fees, a chromebook fee for $26.50 and a gym locker fee for $5.50. A signed chromebook agreement form are required for students to be issued a chromebook.
Students should bring their charged chromebook to school each day, and charges should stay at home. Please note, personal laptops are not allowed to be used at school. Only the PCPS issued chromebook can be used.
First Day of School
The first day of school is Monday, August 24. We are looking forward to meeting our newest tribe members! As a reminder, the first day of school is just for 6th grade students. 7th and 8th grade students will begin school on Tuesday, August 25.
Weekly Schedule
This week we will run our normal schedule:
Monday, August 31 - All Class Day
Tuesday, September 1 - Even Day
Even Day means we go to 1st, 2nd, 4th, & 6th blocks
Wednesday, September 2 - Odd Day
Odd Day means we go to 1st, 3rd, 5th & 7th blocks
Thursday, September 3 - All Class Day
Summer Reading Challenge! Don’t Miss Out!
The summer reading deadline has been extended to Tuesday, September 1!
Here’s the fun part:
✔️ You’ll earn a point for your class in the 2026–27 Grade Level Reading Challenge
✔️ You’ll get to join a special “Get Out of Class” Fun Experience in September
So not only do you show off your awesome work—you help your class win and score some extra fun time. Win-win!
Specialty High School Program Night
Powhatan Middle School will host an evening of “Specialty High School Programs” with representatives from the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology, Code RVA High School and Reynolds Community College for Advanced College Academy Program on September 22 beginning at 5 PM in the Powhatan Middle School Library.
Although this presentation is designed to recruit 8th grade applicants, any 6th, 7th or 8th grade students and their parents interested in learning more about these four programs and their application process are encouraged to attend.
Naming the Powhatan Middle Baseball Field
The Powhatan County Public Schools School Board recently updated its policy regarding the naming of school facilities and is seeking volunteers from each magisterial district to consider a request to name the baseball field at Powhatan Middle School.
At the August 11 meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve revisions to Policy FFA, which pertains to the naming and dedication of school buildings, fields, facilities, and portions of facilities. The policy establishes a formal process for considering naming requests, including community input and review by a citizen committee.
Under the updated policy, each School Board member will select one citizen from their district to serve on the naming committee alongside select staff members. The committee will review requests and make a recommendation to the School Board for its consideration and vote.
The School Board has already received requests from several local citizens to name the middle school’s baseball field after Ott Mullins, who served as a PCPS baseball coach for 22 years.
Powhatan residents interested in representing their magisterial district on the baseball field’s naming committee may apply by filling out the application to serve on the naming committee. Community members are also welcome to use the same form to share their thoughts, perspectives, and recommendations regarding the proposed dedication. Applications are due by 11:59:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Time to Act!
Our school counselors will be teaching our students about a "Time to Act", our suicide prevention program. Thank you to our Health & PE teachers for allowing our counselors to work with students during their classes. Teshe SOS “Time to Act” program to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. Time to Act is a research-based prevention program and has been used by thousands of schools. Studies have shown that the Time to Act program effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.
Our schedule is as follows:
6th Grade- 9/21-9/25
7th Grade- 8/31-9/10
8th Grade- 9/8-9/11
Reach out to your student's school counselor if you have any questions.
Quick Updates:
Student Schedules: Please note that student schedules become official on the first day of school. Our counseling staff has done a tremendous job matching up student course requests and aligning it to your feedback from Open House Night. All students will receive an additional copy of their schedule on day one in their first period class.
Any students who have questions about their schedule can reach out to their school counselor via Schoology.
Yearbooks: If you did not get your 25-26 yearbook at Open House, our new Yearbook Sponsor, Mrs. Papierniak and her Yearbook crew will be delivering those to your students during the first week of school.
School Marquee - Our school marquee is still in need of repairs. We will send out more information to collect birthdays to post once we have it repaired.
Back to School Night? - This year, our Back to School Night will be transforming into a Family Literacy Night. We will have a wide variety of engaging sessions, parents and students will be able to visit the Book Fair, and our Literacy Committee is hard at work planning the night. Stay tuned for more details.
First Day of School
The first day of school is Monday, August 24. We are looking forward to meeting our newest tribe members! As a reminder, the first day of school is just for 6th grade students. 7th and 8th grade students will begin school on Tuesday, August 25.
Weekly Schedule
We have two types of schedules - All Class Days (where we see all 7 classes) and Block (Even/Odd days).
The First Week of School we will run the following schedules:
Monday, August 24 - 6th Grade First Day
Tuesday, August 25 - All Class Day
Wednesday, August 26 - Odd Day
Odd Day means we go to 1st, 3rd, 5th & 7th blocks
Thursday, August 27 - Even Day
Even Day means we go to 1st, 2nd, 4th, & 6th blocks
Friday, August 28 - All Class Day
Friday will be a Powhatan Spirit Day!
School Start Times - 2025-2026 School Year
Our school start times will be the same as last year:
Drop Off Begins: 7:20 a.m.
School Starts: 7:35 a.m.
Dismissal: 2:25 p.m.
Fees
All fees are paid online through School Cash Online. All fees will be loaded in School Cash Online specifically based on your student’s class schedule by the Open House date. You can access School Cash Online through our website as well as. If you have any questions or need help, please reach out to our bookkeeper, Mrs. Overton at denise.overton@powhatan.k12.va.us.
Chromebooks
At middle school, there are two required fees, a chromebook fee for $26.50 and a gym locker fee for $5.50. A signed chromebook agreement form are required for students to be issued a chromebook.
Students should bring their charged chromebook to school each day, and charges should stay at home. Please note, personal laptops are not allowed to be used at school. Only the PCPS issued chromebook can be used.
Any student who needs a chromebook will receive their chromebooks during the first week of school as long as we have a signed chromebook agreement and they have paid the chromebook fee.
Transportation Information
Need more bus route information?
Transportation schedules are now available through the My Ride K-12 app. Families are encouraged to review their child's bus information before the first day of school, including bus assignment, bus stop location, and scheduled pickup and drop-off times.
For more information, see the PCPS Transportation webpage.
More questions? Reach out to our PCPS Transportation Office (transoffice@powhatan.k12.va.us)
Parent Drop Off or Pick Up?
Our procedures remain the same → view this map to see where to enter and exit.
All cars for drop off & pick up must enter at Powhatan Elementary and take the connector road to Powhatan Middle.
To maintain order and good traffic flow, please enter Powhatan Elementary from the west. Working together, we will get everyone in on time.
Drop off starts at 7:20 a.m. and pick up starts at 2:25 p.m.
Visitors can use our main entrance between 7:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Stay Connected to Powhatan Middle:
Powhatan Middle School Public Calendar: Stay up to date with holidays, early dismissals, and other important dates by subscribing to the divisionwide calendar on your personal device or calendar app. Use this link to import our PMS-Public Calendar to your calendars. (Please note we are Google-based - reach out with any questions.)
Instagram: Follow us on IG - @powhatanmiddle_pcps
Backpacks of Love, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization that has been providing weekend food bags to school children who may not have enough to eat at home since 2011. These food bags are distributed discreetly by school staff on the last school day of each week.
If your child could benefit from this program, we invite you to participate by signing and returning the permission form to your child’s school counselor. Participation is completely voluntary and free of charge.
Reach out to our School Counseling Coordinator, Terry Baldwin (terry.baldwin@powhatan.k12.va.us) with any questions.
Backpacks of Love Permission Form (English Version) Backpacks of Love Permission Form (Spanish Version)
Cell Phone Free Learning Environment
As you know, we want to provide students with an optimal learning environment here at Powhatan Middle School. As such, policy JFCM was established two years ago. This policy states two important points
“From bell to bell, [middle school] students are restricted from using personal electronic devices, including but not limited to, cell phones, smartwatches, laptops, Bluetooth devices, cameras, electronic games, and E-Readers. Devices must be powered off and away (i.e., gym locker, bookbag, purse, out of sight).”
"Smart device" means any personal electronic device that can connect to the internet and wirelessly collect, process, and transmit data, including smartwatches and tablets.
The goal is to reduce distractions and promote a healthier, more engaging school experience for our students. If you need to contact your middle schooler, or if they need to contact you, we ask that you call the main office at (804) 362-2500.
Dress Code
We encourage our students to dress for success daily! Here is the PCPS Dress Code from our Student Rights' and Responsibilities
PCPS Dress Code
Headgear, including hats, caps, head coverings, hoods, and bandanas may not be worn inside the building except for any religious head covering, or with prior administrative approval for reasonable, extenuating circumstances.
Sunglasses shall not be worn inside the school building unless prescribed by a physician.
No spaghetti straps may be worn in grades six and above. Clothing must adequately cover the stomach (midriff) and lower back. Minimal exposure of the upper back and upper chest is permitted, as long as the overall appearance remains appropriate for a school setting.
No part of undergarments should be showing or worn as outer garments.
Students may not wear shorts, skirts, dresses, or similar clothing that has an inseam shorter than 3 inches. Swimming trunks cuts-off may not be worn.
Sleepwear is prohibited.
Footwear must be worn at all times. Bedroom shoes, house slippers, and bare feet are not allowed. Shoe and boot laces must be tied or straps must be strapped at all times. Footwear should be appropriate for instructional activities.
Clothing, jewelry, accessories, or body art with language or images that are discriminatory, obscene, relating to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, sex, profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, violence, that is demeaning any group or individual, or that promotes conduct contrary to the Powhatan County Public Schools guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities is prohibited. This includes written or graphic material which intimidates or threatens individuals based on their race, national origin, disability or religion, including language or images of Confederate flags, swastikas, KKK references, or any other images that might reasonably be considered intimidating to others (per policy JFHA). Any item of clothing, jewelry, or other accessory which is distracting or dangerous will not be allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, studded items, chains or other straps hanging from the waist, any sharp objects, and costumes that have not been approved by administration.
Please find our annual AHERA notification letter from our PCPS Facilities Department regarding our most recent inspection. We are committed to providing a safe and comfortable learning environment for our students and staff. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Our PTO has rebranded to PMS Connect! We are excited to launch this school year and thankful for the parent volunteers who have already stepped up to the plate! Be sure to check out their newsletter to learn more about the ways they plan on connecting this year and for ways that you can help! It takes a village!
Meet Your Front Office and Counseling Staff
We are excited to start the 2026-2027 school year with our Powhatan Community. We have a wealth of support to offer each student and family, and please reach out if you have any questions or concerns throughout the year.
Quick Updates:
School Marquee - Our school marquee is in need of repairs. We will send out more information to collect birthdays to post once we have it repaired.
Back to School Night? - This year, our Back to School Night will be transforming into a Family Literacy Night. We will have a wide variety of engaging sessions, parents and students will be able to visit the Book Fair, and our Literacy Committee is hard at work planning the night. Stay tuned for more details. Be sure to come on out during our Open House where you can visit the school, walk your students' schedule, and meet all teachers. Check out the details below!
Open House Logistics:
Report to the gym for packet pick-up (schedule, forms, and information)!
Take a self-tour around the building and meet our dream team of teachers!
Meet our caring counselors, our terrific transportation team, our charismatic cafe manager, and our positive PTO!
Pick-up 2025-2026 yearbooks (if ordered)
If you are unable to attend Open House, please feel free to stop by PMS on Thursday, August 20 or Friday, August 21 of this week to pick up your child’s packet and schedule.
Cell Phone Free Learning Environment
As you know, we want to provide students with an optimal learning environment here at Powhatan Middle School. As such, policy JFCM was established two years ago. This policy states two important points
“From bell to bell, [middle school] students are restricted from using personal electronic devices, including but not limited to, cell phones, smartwatches, laptops, Bluetooth devices, cameras, electronic games, and E-Readers. Devices must be powered off and away (i.e., gym locker, bookbag, purse, out of sight).”
"Smart device" means any personal electronic device that can connect to the internet and wirelessly collect, process, and transmit data, including smartwatches and tablets.
The goal is to reduce distractions and promote a healthier, more engaging school experience for our students. If you need to contact your middle schooler, or if they need to contact you, we ask that you call the main office at (804) 362-2500.
Dress Code
We encourage our students to dress for success daily! Here is the PCPS Dress Code from our Student Rights' and Responsibilities
PCPS Dress Code
Headgear, including hats, caps, head coverings, hoods, and bandanas may not be worn inside the building except for any religious head covering, or with prior administrative approval for reasonable, extenuating circumstances.
Sunglasses shall not be worn inside the school building unless prescribed by a physician.
No spaghetti straps may be worn in grades six and above. Clothing must adequately cover the stomach (midriff) and lower back. Minimal exposure of the upper back and upper chest is permitted, as long as the overall appearance remains appropriate for a school setting.
No part of undergarments should be showing or worn as outer garments.
Students may not wear shorts, skirts, dresses, or similar clothing that has an inseam shorter than 3 inches. Swimming trunks cuts-off may not be worn.
Sleepwear is prohibited.
Footwear must be worn at all times. Bedroom shoes, house slippers, and bare feet are not allowed. Shoe and boot laces must be tied or straps must be strapped at all times. Footwear should be appropriate for instructional activities.
Clothing, jewelry, accessories, or body art with language or images that are discriminatory, obscene, relating to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, sex, profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, violence, that is demeaning any group or individual, or that promotes conduct contrary to the Powhatan County Public Schools guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities is prohibited. This includes written or graphic material which intimidates or threatens individuals based on their race, national origin, disability or religion, including language or images of Confederate flags, swastikas, KKK references, or any other images that might reasonably be considered intimidating to others (per policy JFHA). Any item of clothing, jewelry, or other accessory which is distracting or dangerous will not be allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, studded items, chains or other straps hanging from the waist, any sharp objects, and costumes that have not been approved by administration.
First Day of School
The first day of school is Monday, August 24. We are looking forward to meeting our newest tribe members! As a reminder, the first day of school is just for 6th grade students. 7th and 8th grade students will begin school on Tuesday, August 25.
Weekly Schedules
We have two types of schedules - All Class Days (where we see all 7 classes) and Block (Even/Odd days).
Our Normal Weekly Schedule for 2025-2026
Monday - All Class Day
Tuesday - Even Day
Wednesday - Odd Day
Thursday - All Class Day
Friday - All Class Day
School Start Times - 2025-2026 School Year
Our school start times will be the same as last year:
Drop Off Begins: 7:20 a.m.
School Starts: 7:35 a.m.
Dismissal: 2:25 p.m.
Summer Reading Challenge! Don’t Miss Out!
Submit your summer reading project to your English teacher by August 28, 2026!
Here’s the fun part:
✔️ You’ll earn a point for your class in the 2026–27 Grade Level Reading Challenge
✔️ You’ll get to join a special “Get Out of Class” Fun Experience in September
So not only do you show off your awesome work—you help your class win and score some extra fun time. Win-win!
Field Hockey Tryout information: Any rising 8th or 9th grade girl interested in trying out for field hockey, tryouts will be held the week of August 3rd-7th with the season starting August 10th. Please contact either Stephanie.Tyson@powhatan.k12.va.us or Caryn.Rehme@powhatan.k12,va.us. No experience is necessary but it does require athleticism and hard work. Please make sure you have a current physical.
Important Athletics Reminder for Rising 8th Graders:
As a reminder, students enrolled in Powhatan Middle School, including eighth-grade students, shall not participate on high school junior varsity (JV) athletic teams in any sport that is offered at Powhatan Middle School during the same season. This change occured at the end of last school year.
Sport Not Offered at the Middle School
Students may try out for a high school JV team if the sport is not offered at Powhatan Middle School during the same season.
Inability to Field a Middle School Team
If Powhatan Middle School is unable to field a team due to insufficient participation or other verified circumstances, participation at the high school level may be considered.
Please reach out to our Athletic Director, Bill Wasosky, if you have any questions. Click here for more information.