Powhatan Middle School

Family Update

2026-2027

August 16

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.

2026-2027 Powhatan Middle School Front Office Staff

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.

Powhatan Middle School General Supply List 26-27

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!

Powhatan Middle School Summer Reading 2026

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. 6th graders will receive their chromebooks during the first week of school.

2026 PMS FALL SPORTS TRYOUT INFORMATION

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.

PMS Connect Updates

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!