POWES Family Press
September 27th: Week 6 Updates for the '26-'27 School Year
Quick Highlights
Good Evening Powhatan Elementary Families,
We've had a GREAT five weeks of school! As we head into week 6 we will have two BIG things happening: 1) Grandparents Breakfast (9/29 & 9/30) and 2) OCTOBER begins! YEP...this school year is moving right along so try and keep up!
As this past week marked the halfway point of the 1st quarter, if your child has a "D" or "F" average in a class then your child's teacher should have reached out to you. If not...PLEASE contact them to set up a plan of action to get your kiddo where he/she needs to be by the end of the 1st quarter, which is on Oct. 22nd.
We can't wait to watch your kiddo(s) πLEVEL UPπ₯this year with academics and overall performance in school!
Below is what you will find in this Sunday's message regarding the 26-27 school year. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
- POWES Updates
- Counseling Updates...
- Watch D.O.G.S.
- Run Club at POWES
- Lunch/Snack Buddies Program!
- Attendance...We Need YOUR Student Here EVERYDAY!
- Important Dates and Resources
- Upcoming Powhatan County Events
- PTO Info
- Dr. Gill's Message
- We have Powhatan PRIDE!
- Helpful Links ALL year long for Parents
- Previous POWES Family Press Newsletters
- PCPS Calendar! Check it out...ALL of the date your kiddo is OUT of school! THIS IS THE TIME TO PLAN appointments & trips!
π POWES Updates
- It was so nice to WELCOME families on THURSDAY, Sept. 24th as you were allowed to eat lunch with your kiddo(s). Please remember to bring your ID when you sign in the front office. ***You can ONLY pull YOUR child over to the parent tables.***
- REMINDER...Run Club applications are DUE to Mrs. Alexander by Wed., Sept. 30th. Keep scrolling to learn more!
If you have not done so already...PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE join our POWES PTO! Without your support our school would not have all of the amazing events we have each year!
- We've had numerous dads and father figures fill out the...Watch D.O.G.S. application! Stay tuned for the "start date" for our Watch D.O.G.S. to arrive in classrooms! If you'd like to participate then keep scrolling to learn more.
- If you have any changes in your child's NORMAL mode of transportation throughout the school year please email powespickup@powhatan.k12.va.us and your childβs teacher. Please be patient as arrival and dismissal will take a little longer the first few days.
- When your child is absent please remember to call our attendance secretary, Mrs. Yarbrough or email us at powesattendance@powhatan.k12.va.us. Please remember if you plan to have your child miss school due to a vacation or trip then you need PRIOR approval from Dr. Gill. Please send him an email (jason.gill@powhatan.k12.va.us) with the dates requested.
π Your child has learned and reviewed what it means to..."Have Powhatan PRIDE"! They have also learned and reviewed our school's expectations of: Being Respectful, Being Responsible, Being Safe, and Being Kind. Please use these same guidelines at home to bridge the gap between home and school. They will recite our school pledge each morning..."I am Respectful, Responsible, Safe, & Kind...I have Powhatan PRIDE"! π§‘
π Counseling Update...
The counseling department will be offering small groups to help students deal with grief. This group is for children who have suffered the loss of a close loved one and still having trouble handling it or you feel has not adequately dealt with the grief. If you are interested in your child participating in this small group during school hours, please contact one of the school counselors: peggy.jenkins@powhatan.k12.va.us or maddison.pfautz@powhatan.k12.va.us.
πΆ Watch D.O.G.S. πΆ
It's HERE! The time so many of our dads/father figures have been asking about...Watch D.O.G.S.! If you attended our Back to School Night this past Thursday you got to hear from Miss Maddison Pfautz, school counselor, as she shared with everyone what the program does for our school and how to sign up. DO NOT worry...if you were unable to attend we have the information here for you. We can't wait to see you in the building supporting our staff and students as ...WATCH D.O.G.S.!
View the WATCH D.O.G.S. Application
View the WATCH D.O.G.S. Presentation
View the WATCH D.O.G.S. Brochure
You must fill out and return the application to our school counselors, Ms. Peggy Jenkins & Miss Maddison Pfautz, in order to be considered for participation in the program. If you have any questions please reach out to them either by email or giving them a call. They are both happy to support you.
π Run Club at POWES π
Do your kiddos enjoying running? If so, then joining the POWES Run Club is FOR THEM! We'd love to have you and your kiddo come out and support our Run Club. Our PE teacher, Mrs. Meaghan Alexander, is leading this wonderful opportunity for our students to get some exercise before school. Please check out the application with important information for you. Your child will get a "hard copy" on Monday, but we wanted you to have a "sneak peek" this weekend!
We'd LOVE to have your kiddo(s) participate! If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Meaghan Alexander either by email meaghan.alexander@powhatan.k12.va.us or call her at school.
π₯ͺ Lunch/Snack Buddies Program!
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!
π Attendance...We Need YOUR Student Here EVERYDAY!
We need your kiddo at school every day so they can learn with us. Research shows that if your child misses 2 days a month then he or she is trending to be Chronically Absent (missing 10% or more time from school) as they move through their school career. To put this into perspective at this point of the year...if your child has missed TWO or MORE days already from school this year then your child is Chronically Absent. Now, as we continue to be in school longer and your child doesn't miss any more days then the percentage will drop drastically.
Here are our PERFECT Attendance by Grade percentages so far (% of the grade that has NOT missed a day) :
PK: 43.2%
K: 70.4%
1st: 50%
2nd: 72.9%
3rd: 62.3%
4th: 66.2%
5th: 62%
WAY to GO 2nd grade! But watch out...kindergarten is closing in FAST! Who will have the BEST attendance at the end of September? We celebrate "Attendance Matters" each month with some sort of celebration (popsicle, popcorn, etc). Who will WIN our 1st month of school? GAME ON...Let's πLEVEL UPπ₯ OUR LEARNING by being at school EVERY DAY!!
π Important Dates and Resources
September 28-October 2nd: Teachers will be delivering "Student of the Month" signs to those students who were selected (Dr. Gill has personally emailed ALL families)
September 29th: Grandparents Breakfast for Last Names (A-L) from 7:10 am to 8:10 am @ Pocahontas Landmark Center (PLC)
September 30th: POWES Run Club application DUE
- September 30th: Grandparents Breakfast for Last Names (M-Z) from 7:10 am to 8:10 am @ Pocahontas Landmark Center (PLC)
- October 1st: PTO Meeting @ 6:00pm
- October 19th: Fall Pictures
October 22nd: End of 1st Quarter
October 22nd: POWES Fall Festival
October 30th: Report Cards Sent Home
Interims: Week of Nov. 16-20
December 18th: End of 2nd Quarter (1st Semester Ends)
January 8th: Report Cards Sent Home
Interims: Week of Feb. 1-5
March 11th: End of 3rd Quarter
March 19th: Report Cards Sent Home
Interims: Week of April 19-23
June 4th: Report Cards Sent Home w/Elementary students
Additional Information
- β° REMINDER: Elementary start time: Drop off begins at 8:25 am in the front loop of the school.
***If a need arises for some reason and you need to pick your child up early from school you will NEED to bring your photo ID inside the building in order to do so...EVEN if we know you!
If you do not currently receive text messages from the school messenger program and you would like to OPT IN to receive TEXT messages. Text the words OPT IN to 67587.
Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a substitute teacher for PCPS? Apply here if you are interested! Please spread the word so we can increase our substitute pool.
π’ Upcoming Powhatan County Events π
Ed Trail Ribbon Cutting
Join the Powhatan Community for the 1st Walk/Run event in Fighting Creek Park.
Blessing of the Animals
Come join us at May Memorial Baptist Church on Oct. 4th.
Spooky Movie Night in the Park
Come on out & bring the WHOLE family!
Envirothon
Is your kiddo interested? Read more...
Imagination Library
Celebrate Dolly Parton and join in on a COLOR RUN!
π§‘ Powhatan PTO
Weβve had a great couple of weeks at POWES! Thank you to everyone who made Back to School Night a success, and to our amazing teachers and staff for all they do. We loved treating our teachers to Rodeoβs well as celebrating our speech, vision, OT, and support staff for National Rehabilitation Awareness Week!
Coming up:
**PTO Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1st @ 6:00pm
- π Read-a-Thon kicks off 9/28!
- π΅ Grandparents BREAKFAST is on 9/29 & 9/30
- π¬ Monty the Candy Monster is hungry! Weβre now accepting candy donations for Fall Festival.
- πΏ The popcorn race is still on! Mrs. Triggβs class is still in the lead, with Easter and Holden hot on their heels. Who will hit 100% family PTO membership and get their popcorn party first?
- π Last call for class shirts + spirit wear! Orders close next week.
- π October βWhatβs Happeningβ is coming home this week. Weβve attached a copy here so you can see whatβs ahead! Be on the lookout for this as we have even more happening!
Want to be part of the PTO community? Here are a few quick links:
Join the PTO β Click here to complete the form & pay for your membership
Volunteer with us β Click here to complete the volunteer interest form
Have questions, comments, or concerns? We are always available via email. Please donβt hesitate to reach out!
You all are the π€ heartbeat π§‘ of this school & we are so grateful for your time!
π€ π§‘ your POWes PTO!π€π§‘
βKelsi, Nicole & Madison
π’ CALLING ALL POWES FAMILIES...WE WANT & NEED YOU π«΅!
Please join the PTO as we would love to have 100% of our staff and families join us as we plan and organize TONS of events for our school! We would LOVE to see ALL of you at our monthly meetings, which take place the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:30pm.
Keep scrolling to see our two order forms and see "What's Happening this Month" and a our "Year at a Glance":
- Grandparents Breakfast on 9/29 & 9/30 (based on student's last name)
- POWES Spirit Wear
- POWES Class Shirt
- Our YEAR at a Glance
- What's Happening in October?
- Meet "Monty the Candy Monster"
POWES Spirit Wear...
Last DAY to order is Thursday, Oct. 1st
POWES Class Shirt...
Last DAY to Order is Thursday, Oct. 1st
Monty the Candy Monster
Support our Fall Festival on Oct. 22nd by feeding "Monty" TONS of candy!!
Meet the REAL "Monty"...
Here is the "REAL" Monty the Candy Monster! He's waiting patiently outside our cafeteria for his favorite meal...CANDY! Let's LOAD him up so we will have PLENTY of CANDY to give out as prizes at our Fall Festival on Oct. 22nd.
π Dr. Gill's Corner
Dear POWES Families,
π A few items to highlight around our school:
-
I'm hoping ALL of you are having a WONDERFUL weekend! Hopefully you did not have any issues with all of the WIND we experienced yesterday evening! It's nature's way of showing us who's still BOSS!. Can you believe it...THIS Thursday is π October 1stπ!
- Thank you to those families who participated in our Spirit Week as we supported PHS' homecoming week. GREAT job to all of the players who fought hard during the homecoming game! It was close...we'll get them next time.
-
I know teachers are sending home some "new" reading homework. This is in an effort to form that school to home bond with regards to "how can I help my child with reading'". Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have questions.
As always...if you ever have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or Mrs. Gobble, assistant principal.
Please make sure your student is getting the proper amount of rest as we will be CHALLENGING ALL of our students in order to πLEVEL UPπ₯this year!
Please keep scrolling down to see a section that contains the previous POWES Family Press newsletters. Here's to starting Week 4 @ POWES!
We are JUMPING FOR JOY for all of what the 26-27 school year has in store for you and your kiddo(s)! Mrs. Gobble, assistant principal, and myself are so glad that each of you will be partnering with us as we πLEVEL UPπ₯ this school year. Again, I am HONORED to be your principal and I cannot wait to see all of you VERY soon!
See you soon,
Dr. Jason Gill
Your PROUD Principal
Mrs. KP Gobble
Your AMAZING Assistant Principal
π WE HAVE POWHATAN PRIDE! π§‘
π Helpful Links for Parents
View Parent Guide with ALL Things POWES!
View MySchoolBucks for lunch accounts
View the PCPS Transportation webpage for more tips and additional bus information
View SchoolCashOnline for field trip and other payment
View the 2026 - 2027 division calendar
View the PCPS website
View the PCPS Instructional website
Attendance Information
View PCPS Attendance Information
πSchool Supply Lists:
View Supply Lists for PK (3βs & 4βs)
View Supply Lists for Kindergarten, 1st, & 2nd