Dates to Note
April 14th - May 5th - Open Collection for the FCCLA animal supply donation
Tuesday, April 29th - Final Anxious Generation Book Study Discussion - 4:45-6 PM at Pocahontas
Tuesday, April 29th - HCPS Ex Ed Expo - Hermitage ACE Center (5:30 - 7:30 PM)
Wednesday, April 30th - Math SOL (all students)
Thursday, May 1st - Science SOL (7th and 8th graders in Physical or Earth Science)
Saturday, May 3rd - HCPS Opportunity Fest at Advanced Career Education Center (ACE) at Hermitage
May 4th-12th Online book fair through Green Valley Book Fair
May 5th - 9th - Teacher Appreciation Week
Tuesday, May 6th - Spring Beginner Chorus and Band Concert at Pocahontas - 7 PM
Thursday, May 8th - Spring Band Concert at Pocahontas - 7 PM
Friday, May 9th - ALL library books returned
Tuesday, May 13th - Spring Chorus Concert at Pocahontas - 7 PM
Thursday, May 15th - Career Day
Friday, May 16th - 8th Grade Dance at Pocathonas - 7-9 PM
Monday, May 19th - May 22nd - Final Exams for Students in High School Credit Classes
May 19th - May 21st - Pocahontas Cheerleading Tryouts
Thursday, May 22nd - Spring Orchestra Concert at Pocahontas - 7 PM
May 23rd and May 26th - Schools closed for Memorial Day holiday
Thursday, May 29th - 8th Grade Soar Ceremony at Godwin High School
Previously Shared SOL Information
This week, Wednesday (Math SOL) and Thursday (Science SOL) are important SOL administration days! Please be sure your student is present and ready to test! We appreciate your help with having students ready to show their learning!
Looking for information about how to see your student's SOL scores? Check out the ParentSquare message from Friday, April 18th.
Please review the SOL/EOC ParentSquare message from March 27th (linked here) for details about how teachers will enter an SOL participation grade in the gradebook.
On Monday, April 14th, we also sent a message seeking permission for your student to participate in remediation and retakes if they qualify. Please complete the form attached to that message - click here to easily access the message and form.
Pocahontas Book Study
Thank you to everyone who has been joining our Anxious Generation book discussions. We hope you are gaining ideas, connections, and support that helps in taking care of your student's mental, emotional, and social development.
Final Discussion
Tuesday, April 29th from 4:45 – 6:00 PM – In-person at Pocahontas – Book Focus = Part 3 and 4
For our third session, please RSVP using this Anxious Generation Book Study Form. Even if you cannot attend, the form allows for you to request information to be shared after the discussion.
The purpose of our study will be to learn from the author’s research, share ideas amongst participants, and connect about how to support teenagers as technology becomes a bigger and bigger part of their lives. Members of our school-based mental health team will be present to participate and offer school-specific guidance where possible.
Teacher Appreciation Week - May 5th - May 9th
Teacher Appreciation Week will take place May 5th - 9th. We need your help in showing our teachers love and appreciation! Words of affirmation are often the BEST way to make a teacher's heart SOAR. We have created this Pocahontas Teacher/Staff Shoutout Form. Please complete the form for any staff member who has positively impacted you and/or your student.
We will display lots of the comments during Hox News Announcements throughout Teacher Appreciation Week. Additionally, each teacher will receive a copy of any of the notes that are specific to them.
Thank you!
Food and Drink Reminders
Just a reminder that students cannot receive food deliveries from restaurants/fastfood chains during the day. If they are arriving to school late, we ask they finish drinks and food before coming into school.
Additionally, please remind your student that if they consume a beverage in a classroom, it should be from a container with a lid. There has been an increase of spills in classrooms because students are drinking out of cans that cannot be closed securely.
8th Grade End-of-the-Year Preparations
8th grade families, as we prepare for the end of the year festivities that celebrate our 8th graders, we need your help!
Please submit pictures of your 8th grader. See the ParentSquare message linked here for details.
We want to make sure all names are pronounced correctly at the SOAR ceremony. Please share name pronunciation information using the ParentSquare form linked here.
8th Grade Dates to Note:
8th Grade Celebration - Friday, May 16th from 7PM - 9PM at Pocahontas - dance and fun hosted by the PTA.
8th Grade Cookout - Tuesday, May 27th during lunchest at Pocahontas. Thank you for your support in providing snacks and chaperones!
8th Grade SOAR Ceremony Practice - Thursday, May 29th in the morning at Pocahontas. 8th graders MUST participate in the practice.
8th Grade SOAR Ceremony - Thursday, May 29th at 7PM at Godwin High School. Families will be given four tickets for the event.
COMING SOON: Online Book Fair with Green Valley 5/4-5/12
The Pocahontas library is partnering with beloved discount book outlet store, the Green Valley Book Fair, for our spring book fair fundraiser. Shop at www.gobookfair.com from Sunday, May 4 through Monday, May 12 and enter our school code POCA2025 at checkout. Your purchase will go toward new books for the Pocahontas library.
Why order from the Green Valley Book Fair?
There are 2 big reasons that we are SO excited to be partnering with Green Valley Book Fair.
Green Valley Book Fair is a family-owned, Virginia-grown business. Shopping local strengthens our Virginia communities!
The prices are AMAZING! They sell their wide selection of books, puzzles, crafts, home goods, and more at prices up to 90% retail. Even when you factor in shipping costs from Green Valley, you still pay far less than you would from corporate retailers.
Can I shop in person?
YES, if you’re up for a day trip! During our fundraising window, visit the Green Valley Book Fair’s physical store at 2192 Green Valley Lane, Mount Crawford, VA 22841 (Tue–Sat, 8 am–5 pm), located halfway between Staunton and Harrisonburg in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Just make sure you tell them you’re with Pocahontas Middle (POCA25) at checkout.
Thank you for supporting our school library with the Green Valley Book Fair!
Library Book Collection - All Library Books Due by May 9th
As we near the end of the school year, it is important that every book in the Pocahontas library is accounted for. Please remind your student to return all their library books by the final due date of Friday, May 9.
If their book has been permanently lost, the student will receive a bill for the replacement cost of the book. This bill may be paid by cash or check made out to Pocahontas Middle School.
Students with outstanding books and/or bills on their account will not be allowed to participate in the Field Day event during the last week of school (5/28).
All questions can be directed to the Pocahontas librarian, Ms. Walker (mawalker3@henrico.k12.va.us) Thank you so much for your help in getting all our books back to the library!
Opportunity for 8th Graders - Online Dual Enrollment - Econ and Personal Finance
Economics and Personal Finance is a required class for high school graduation. This option allows a student to take the course online over the summer
Longwood’s Summer 2025 Dual Enrollment Economics and Personal Finance course will run from June 23 to July 26.
Registration is scheduled OPEN and closes on June 6. Summer 2025 Longwood Dual Enrollment Flyer (includes a registration link and contact information).
Dress Code Reminders
With Spring comes warmer temperatures. Please review the following dress code requirements and discuss them with your student.
1) In regards to shorts/skirts/skorts - "Clothing must reach the tip of the thumb when hands placed at the sides (arms straight with palms flat)"
2) Backless/open back tops are not to be worn as they expose undergarments.
The code of code says students cannot wear "Clothing that is see-through, revealing the midriff (while sitting or standing), or resembles undergarments."
3) Sunglasses, hats, and pajama pants cannot be worn in the building unless it is a part of a school-wide spirit week.
Clothing for Cash
As you are cleaning out closets during Spring cleaning?!?! We encourage you to bring donations to our Clothing for Cash Bin.
Do you have clothing items you are ready to donate? Please use the Clothing to Cash bin located in the Pocahontas Middle School parking lot. The Clothing to Cash School Program is designed to fundraise for our school by collecting new and gently used clothes, shoes and textiles. For each pound of materials donated to the program, the school earns money that is put towards student and staff recognition and incentives.
HCPS Partnership with Care Solace
When you, your child, or a family member needs help, it’s hard to know where to turn. In an effort to ease the burden of finding the mental health care and/or substance use treatment services you need, HCPS has partnered with Care Solace, your new confidential mental health care coordination service.
With a network of over 560,000 providers and services, Care Solace will help you find the right help at the right time, 24/7/365, at no cost to you. They will connect you with providers accepting all medical insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for those without insurance.
You can access Care Solace services in three ways:
Call 888-515-0595 at any time. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365. A dedicated Care Companion will help you every step of the way to research options, secure appointments, and follow up to make sure it is a good fit.
Search the Care Match website anonymously to get matched with an extensive list of care providers at https://caresolace.com/site/henricocps
Contact a school-based mental health professional at your school (school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker), and they will submit a referral on your behalf.
No matter what you’re experiencing, there is hope and help. We are confident that our new partnership with Care Solace will help us build a healthier, more vibrant school community.
If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8. Care Solace is not an emergency response service or mental health services provider.
FCCLA Donation Drive for Homeless Pets
FCCLA is partnering with SPCA’s Street Dog Coalition to help homeless pets by donating supplies for dogs and cats and foster animals.
Starting Monday, April 14th, students should bring dog and cat food/supplies into Advisory.
The cans will be collected by each teacher during advisory.
The advisory with the most donations will receive a pancake breakfast.
The drive will end on May 5th. We appreciate your support!
PTA Volunteers Needed
PTA Volunteers Needed for 2025-26!
Many of our PTA Board members are graduating this year, and we are looking for some new volunteers!
Open board include: Treasurer, VP Ways/Means, VP Membership, VP Volunteers & Communication, and we also need volunteers for our Hospitality and 8th Grade party committee.
If you would like more information, please email us at PocaPTA@gmail.com!
Snacks for Teachers during SOL Testing
THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH FOR THE SNACK DONATIONS! We have TWO SOL test days left! The teachers love the snacks as a pick -me-up!
The Pocahontas PTA Hospitality Committee has surveyed the teachers to get their favorite snacks, so let's give our teachers a brain break and a burst of energy during SOL's! In addition to the snacks, the Hospitality committee will provide fresh fruit and drinks during testing days. We need your help! Check out this sign-up for the donations our committee needs - Pocahontas Middle School - SOL Snacks for Teachers.
Feel welcome to let your student(s) bring in snacks when they're able, our team will put the snacks together so each teachers lounge will be well stocked and easily accessible to all Faculty and Staff during SOL testing days. The date associated with your item is when they should be brought to school.
Thank you for all of your support, we can't support the Pocahontas Team without your help!
ExEd Expo: HCPS’ special education students to explore post-secondary resources
The annual ExEd Expo, HCPS’ Exceptional Education Resource Fair, is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at Hermitage High School.
More than 45 vendors will be in attendance to share insight about how our students with disabilities can thrive after graduating. This includes opportunities for post-secondary education, recreation and sports, military service, job coaching agencies, assistive technology and much more.
This fair is free, and students of all ages, from pre-K to high school, are welcome to attend. Door prizes will also be offered throughout the night to attendees.
HCPS Opportunity Fest
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Opportunity, in collaboration with the Office of Family and
Community Engagement, is excited to announce the upcoming HCPS Opportunity Fest 2025, a resource fair aimed to provide students and families with meaningful resources and materials while promoting authentic learning opportunities and connectedness as we prepare for the summer break.
Event Information
● Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
● Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
● Location: Advanced Career Education Center (ACE) at Hermitage, 8350 Hermitage High
Blvd., Henrico, VA 23228
The Power of Possibility
Henrico Theatre
305 E Nine Mile Rd
May 12, 2025 at 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Join us for a community event dedicated to youth empowerment, substance misuse prevention, and mental health resilience during National Prevention Week 2025.
Event Highlights
Resources & Vendors
Public Showing of “Speaking Through Me” Documentary
Community Discussion & Panel
REVIVE! Narcan Training
For more information, contact either:
Yolanda Hall at hal101@henrico.gov or 804-727-8112
Amber Harris at har239@henrico.gov or 804-750-4680
RVA Middle and High School Tech Showcase
Is your student interested in a career in the technical field? Check out this FREE event! Details at bit.ly/ACHSTech
Summer Camp Offerings
Visit tinyurl.com/HenricoSCC for information of Henrico CTE Summer Career Camps.
Visit https://cte.henricoschools.us/o/hwcd/page/teen-summer-fire-academy for more information of the Henrico Teen Summer Fire Academy.
Virginia State University hosts the US Army Educational Outreach Program's Unite STEAM L.I.T. (Leaders in Training) program, a four week experience for rising 9th-11th grade students. Its purpose is to encourage students to pursue college majors and careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) related fields. Visit the USAEOP website for details, and to find the information on how to apply. Applicants will need to provide an academic transcript and a short essay.
Virginia State University also hosts the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers program, which aims to empower middle school students in under-resourced communities to explore STEM subjects, learn problem-solving skills and gain exposure to career opportunities in technology fields. Participating students will receive mentorship, access to next-gen technology and hands-on training connected to real-world challenges. The initiative provides engaging programming where 6th-8th grade students can learn design thinking, 3D printing, augmented reality, and social entrepreneurship. No prior knowledge or experience is required. Register here.